Betting Explainer: Shots & Shots on Target Markets

The modern gambler knows about far more than goal stats. With Opta stats now driving betting markets, punters can bet on how many shots or shots on target (SOT) teams will rack up in a match. These markets are fast-growing, highly detailed, and – with the right research – can be very profitable.

Before we get into the strategy, let’s break down how these markets work.

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What Counts as a Shot on Target?

Opta defines a shot on target as any deliberate attempt to score that would have gone in unless the goalkeeper or last defender intervened.

That means:

• Goals – every goal scored is a shot on target.
• Saved shots – if a keeper saves it, it counts.
• Goal-line blocks – if a defender stops a ball that was heading in.

But not:

• Efforts hitting the post without keeper contact.
• Deflected shots blocked early.
• Own goals.
• Crosses that drift to the goalkeeper.

There’s an element of subjectivity, but for betting purposes, Opta’s numbers are final.

The Markets Explained

Here are the most common ways you’ll see Shots & Shots on Target offered:

• 1X2 Shots/SOT – predict which team will finish with the most shots/SOT.
  
• Over/Under Shots/SOT – bet on whether the total will be higher or lower than the line set.
  
• Home/Away Over/Under Shots/SOT – same as above, but team-specific.
  
• Half-Time Shots/SOT – which team concedes or produces more shots in the first half.
  
• Half-Time Over/Under – how many shots or shots on target in the opening 45 minutes.

Why Research Is Everything

Unlike goal or result betting, shots markets reward punters who do their homework. That’s because patterns in shooting data are far more consistent than scorelines.

Take the Premier League this season:

• Manchester United have had the most shots per game (95 in total – 15.8 per game). Even when results are poor, they’re still firing plenty of efforts.
  
• Brentford and Burnley? Just 51 shots each, or 8.5 per game.

That knowledge makes a huge difference. You might avoid backing a Brentford over 10.5 shots line, but happily take United to hit theirs, even if they’re struggling for points.

Research tools like Statmuse make it easy to track trends across leagues worldwide.

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Strategy Tips

1. Look beyond the scoreline – teams who shoot often don’t always win (see Man Utd), but they still rack up shot totals.
   
2. Check opposition styles – a deep defensive team may concede plenty of speculative shots, boosting “Over” chances.
   
3. Spot player form – if a striker like Osimhen averages 4+ shots per game, a team “Over shots” line could hold value even against tough opposition.
   
4. First-half vs second-half trends – some sides start fast, others grow into games. Tailor half-specific bets accordingly.

Why Bookies Love Opta

Every single bet here is settled by Opta data – the “gold standard” of football stats. That consistency lets bookies offer complex markets, but it also means disputes are rare. Opta’s ruling is final.

Shots and shots-on-target markets open up a world of detail that goes beyond final scorelines. With the right research, especially using live stats tools, there’s real money to be made in spotting which teams shoot most, who lets fly early, and which players pepper the keeper.

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